Method and device for rescuing injured people

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and device provided in the form of a carrying device for transporting an injured person in a horizontal reclined position. Said device is comprised of two belts whose ends are joined to one another. One of the belts is placed around the upper body and the other belt is placed around the thighs of the injured person. The ends of the belts are provided with a shared coupling element, by means of which they can be coupled to a lowered end of a rescue line. The aim of the invention is to use simple means to provide the ability to fasten both belts at once to the injured person by using a handle, to then separate both belts from one another using a second handle, and to slide the second belt under the buttocks of the injured person. The invention is based on the above-mentioned rescue device developed by Professor Schwindt and is characterized in that both belts, when in a standby position, are closely positioned next to one another in a parallel manner and are detachably joined to one another while forming a strand. In addition, means are provided with which the joining between both belts can be released, and one end of both belts is coupled or to be coupled to the coupling element whereas the other belt end can be coupled to the first-mentioned end or to the coupling element.

[0001] The invention relates to a method and an apparatus in the form of a carrying device for the vertical transport of a person, who has experienced an accident, in a horizontal reclining position, comprised of two belts, in each instance connected at their two ends with one another, of which the one is to be placed around the upper body, the other around the thighs of the injured person, and which, at their ends, are provided with a common coupling member with which they can be coupled to a lowered end of a rescue line.

[0002] A carrying device for the vertical transport of an injured person in a horizontal reclining position comprised of two belts connected with one another in each instance at their two ends, of which the one is to be placed around the upper body, the other around the thighs of the injured person, and which at their ends are provided with a common coupling member with which they can be coupled to a lowered end of a rescue line, has been developed by Professor Schwindt, in order to be able to bring on board again a person in distress at sea and swimming or drifting in water with the means of a sports sailboat (DE 43 26 557 C2). It has been found that in use this carrying device is considerably more gentle to the circulatory system than simple rescue slings in the form of a belt which is wound around the upper body of the injured person and subsequently is secured on the end of a rescue line lowered from above from the deck of a vessel or a helicopter.

[0003] For the gentle hauling on board of a vessel of a carrying device according to Professor Schwindt, he subsequently developed two further feasibilities. The one is described in DE 197 45 408 A1, the other is yet to be published.

[0004] Application of this carrying device which is gentle on the circulatory system in rescuing an injured person with a helicopter, has been found to be difficult thereby that the placement of the two belts on the injured person encounters difficulties in the presence of the air vortices occurring under the helicopter. A rescuer working under the helicopter, who, in rough and inaccessible terrain during mountain rescue as well as when rescuing from water, is battling the difficulties of the environment and of the ground beneath as well as with the difficulties due to the movement disability of the patient, has to exert considerable effort to place a single belt on the upper body of the patient. Placement of a second belt is not successful or only with considerable effort in time.

[0005] The invention avoids the disadvantages of prior art. The invention addresses the problem of providing with simple means the capability of securing both belts on the injured person at once with one handle and subsequently with a second handle to separate both belts and to slide the second belt under the buttocks of the injured person.

[0006] The invention builds on the above cited rescue apparatus developed by Professor Schwindt and comprises that the two belts in standby position are closely parallel in contact on one another and are releasably connected with one another forming a strand, that means are provided with which the connection between the two belts can be released, and that the one end of both belts can be coupled to and decoupled from the coupling member, while the other belt end can be coupled to the first end or the coupling member.

[0007] Application of this rescue apparatus takes place such that before the start of the rescue action the lower belt is firmly but releasably connected in parallel position to form a belt combination, that before the start of the rescue action onto the injured person first the entire belt combination is placed around the upper body and the ends of the belts are connected with one another and secured on the rescue line, that subsequently the lower belt is released from the upper belt and is subsequently slid under the buttocks of the person to be rescued.

[0008] Thereby is attained that the placement of the rescue apparatus under a helicopter hovering above the accident site is as simple as the placement of a single belt, perhaps even simpler.

[0009] Since, after the placement of the belt combination, the lower belt is released from the belt combination either with two handles or automatically with compressed air, the ground beneath is not a hindrance when placing the upper belt and cannot be brought into disturbing positions through air vortices.

[0010] After the upper belt has been emplaced and the lower belt has been ejected, the latter can readily be slid under the buttocks of the injured person and the heaving of the person in half-sitting, half-lying position into the helicopter cabin can already start. This takes place more gently in terms of the circulatory system than with only one belt wound around the chest and much more rapidly than the transport on a stretcher, onto which the patient would first have to be placed and securely buckled.

[0011] Accommodating the lower belt in or on the upper belt can take place in different ways:

[0012] One option comprises that the upper belt has two protrusions between which the lower belt is placed. The protrusions and/or the upper belt can be pneumatically inflatable, and, upon being inflated, eject the lower belt. The inflated protrusions or the inflated belt form paddings for the gentle transport of the patient.

[0013] Another option comprises that the belts are connected with one another by adhesive means, such as Velcro, adhesive substances, adhesive foils or the like. In particular if the lower belt is provided with handles, the belts can be readily separated from one another when needed.

[0014] Another option comprises that on the upper belt textile holders are provided on one side with a Velcro closure and a handle, which holders encompass the lower belt.

[0015] The feasibility is also given that the upper belt includes clasps into which the lower belt is placed.

[0016] It is of advantage if the free end of the belt combination has a hook, which can be suspended in one of several lugs on the other end of the belt combination. The belt combination in this case is readily adaptable to the body size and shape of the patient. As lugs are usefully employed D-bows, whose straight shank is placed into a loop on the belt.

[0017] For a suitable reclining position of the patient different lengths of upper belt and lower belt may be required. The accommodation of the lower belt in or on the upper belt in this case presents difficulties. It is useful in such cases if the one belt is longer than the other and if the piece projecting beyond the length of the other belt is folded and placed together adhering to one another. The utilization of Velcro tapes as adhesion means is especially useful.

[0018] Helicopter transport makes special requirements of a stable position of the patient in the two belts. It can be further improved thereby that between the belts a net is stretched which is attached on the belts.

[0019] Another feasibility of a suitable folding-together of upper and lower belt to form a belt combination comprises that protrusions disposed laterally on the upper belt are provided with Velcro closures and handles, wherein the upper belt and its protrusions encompasses the lower belt and includes it.

[0020] For the pneumatic separation of upper and lower belt and the pneumatic inflation of protrusions and belts it is advantageous if the one belt is the carrier of a mounting for a compressed air cartridge and a manually actuated filling valve for the belt or for protrusions fastened on the belt. In this case, after the upper belt has been emplaced, a single pressing of a trigger button is sufficient to bring about the ejection process of the lower belt and to accomplish the filling process.

[0021] In the following the essence of the invention will be described in further detail in conjunction with an embodiment example shown schematically in the drawing. Therein depict:

[0022]FIG. 1 the rescue apparatus in the operational readiness state,

[0023]FIG. 2 the rescue apparatus during operation,

[0024]FIG. 3 a cross section through the rescue apparatus.

[0025] In the operational readiness state the upper belt 1 to be placed around the chest of the injured person and the lower belt 2 to be placed around the thighs of the injured person are combined in a belt combination. This belt combination is suspended with a carabiner or other hook 13 disposed at its one end in the loop at the end of the rescue line 14. In this state depicted in FIG. 1 the rescue apparatus is lowered for example from a helicopter onto the site at which the injured patient is lying. In this state shown in FIG. 1 the belt combination 1, 2 is placed around the chest of the patient and, in front of the chest of the patient, the closure carabiner hook 15 at the free end of the belt combination, depending on the body circumference of the patient, is hooked into one of the lugs on the belt combination 1, 2 in the form of the D-bows 16 and therewith the belt combination is closed to form a ring placed around the upper body of the patient.

[0026] This procedure and handling of the rescue apparatus is the same as has always been performed within prior art in rescuing an injured person in the vertical position.

[0027] After this application of the belt combination 1, 2 the detachment of the two belts 1, 2 from one another takes place in order for the injured person to be able to be transported in a reclining position.

[0028] The novelty in the field of rescue with this rescue apparatus starts at this point. FIG. 2 shows the belt combination 1, 2 in this open position for the transport of the injured person in the reclining position, in which the upper body is carried by the upper belt 1 and the legs by the lower belt 2, on which are disposed the thighs of the injured person with the legs at an angle.

[0029] The upper belt 1 including its fabric sleeve 5 is firmly connected by a connection hose 17 and a clasp system 18 with the lower loop [sic: belt] 2 including fabric sleeve 6 to form a belt combination 1, 2, with a securement 8 comprising the end piece of the connection hose 17 being fixed in the clasp system 9 transversely to the direction of opening of the lower loop [belt] 2.

[0030] At the lower end of the belt combination 1, 2 formed thus is disposed a second securement 25 against a premature release of the lower belt 2, which is also fixed transversely to the direction of opening of the connection hose 17 in the clasp system 26 and is actuated and opened by the handle 24 for releasing the securement 25, with a compressed air cartridge 30 in the cartridge pocket 32 also being actuated and opened. Between the two securements 8 and 25 is secured the connection hose 17 in the clasp system 18 thereby that it is held in position by the safety net pocket cover 20, which is connected with the fabric sleeve 5 of the upper loop [sic] 1 and fixed with the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20 on the fabric sleeve 6 of the lower loop [sic] 2.

[0031] The basic combination formed as rescue sling 1, 2 is connected at its upper portion, from which the carrying belt 3 of the upper belt 1 is carried out, with the D-bow 10. The carrying belt 4 of the lower belt 2 is connected with the D-bow 11 and on the carrying belt 3 is disposed the clasp system 9 of the securement 8 and the carrying belt 4 is held together in windings to the lower loop-carrying belt extension 7—for example through Velcro closure or other and, in readiness position, the securement 8 is closed thereby that the carrying belt 4 is not released and the end of the connection hose 17, which forms the securement 8, is not pulled out of the clasp system 9.

[0032] To fasten the integral rescue sling 1, 2 formed of the upper belt 1 and the lower belt 2, the D-bow 10 is connected with the D-bow 11 by a shackle 12 with swivel or other, on which the carabiner 13 is fastened, with the latter being hooked into the end of the rescue cable 14, which is brought close by a helicopter or other.

[0033] The two handles 21, which have led to the release of the lower belt 2 from the belt combination 1, 2 carried around the chest of the injured and formed by upper and lower belt, on the closure of the safety net-pocket cover 20 and the two handles 21 provided on the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20 and the handles 22 on the lower belt 2 are not actuated such that upper and lower belt form a unitary belt combination 1, 2, with the closure carabiner 15 comprising two separate fastening fittings for the carrying belt 3 and the carrying belt 4, on which the carrying belts 3, 4 are fastened separately and at an advantageous angle of approximately 120 degrees or other and through which the formed belt combination 1, 2 is uniformly and simply operated. In the proximity of the back of the injured the upper belt 1 comprises a handle 23, with which the injured can be directed to and pulled into the helicopter or other.

[0034] In the detail enlargement of FIG. 1 the carrying belt 3 of the upper loop 1 is depicted, on which at a small spacing from one another in the longitudinal direction the U-profile holders 39 are fastened with the connection bolts 41 together with the counterplate 40 such that sufficient free mobility of the upper belt 1 is obtained for forming an open and closed loop which is advantageously attained through a trapezoidal cut of the sides of the U-profile holders, on which the clasp system 19 for the connection hose 17 is fastened with a connection bolt 43 or the like. On the carrying belt 3 are disposed in the longitudinal direction the U-profile holders 39, and the first U-profile holder is provided at the upper end of the upper belt 1 with clasps or the like disposed on the inside, which form the clasp system 9 of the securement 8. The last U-profile holder at the lower end of the upper belt 1 is also provided with clasps or the like at the inside, which form the clasp system 26 of securement 25, which is formed of a hose encased with a fabric or the like and which freely movable is clamped into the clasp system 26 and is released.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows the way in which the fully unfolded rescue apparatus for the rescue of injured persons in positions difficult of access such that it is gentle to the circulatory system is disposed, with the upper belt 1 being shorter than the lower belt 2, whereby the chest of the injured is raised so far relative to the lower body that the technically, medically and psychologically most advantageous body position is formed. The difference in the belt lengths between upper belt 1 and lower belt 2 is attained through the manual opening of the securement 25 with the handle 24 and the manual or automatically pneumatic releasing of the connection hose 17 from the clasp system 18 thereby that through the action of the body weight onto the lower loop 2 the lower loop carrying belt extension 7 is released and therein the carrying belt 4 is lengthened by approximately 16 to 26 cm, with the end of the connection hose 17, which forms the securement 8, being lifted out of the clasp system 9 and thus the lower loop 2 being released completely from the upper loop 1.

[0036] Upper belt 1 and lower belt 2 are held together at their upper ends by the D-bows 10 and 11 with the swivel shackle 12 or the like. This is fastened on the carabiner hook 13 which is hooked into the fitting at the end of the rescue cable 14. At the lower end it is connected by the carrying belt 3 of the upper belt 1 and the carrying belt 4 of the lower belt 2, which are fastened at the two separated fastening fittings of the closure carabiner 15. The latter is hooked into one of the D-bows 16 on the upper loop 1.

[0037] Therewith the upper loop 1 is sufficiently tightly placed and closed around the thorax (chest) of the injured, such that it is impossible for the injured to slide out as was possible in the case of the previously customary rescue with dependent arms. Because the thorax of the injured compared to the lower body is slightly raised due to the released lower loop carrying belt extension 7, wherein the lower loop 2 starting from the suspension point 45 of the closure carabiner 15 diverges from an advantageous angle of approximately 120 degrees or the like and is positioned beneath the thighs of the injured.

[0038] The lower belt 2 is therein through the actuation of the handle 24 for releasing the securement 25 and the releasing of the compressed air cartridge(s) 30 connected therewith as well as through rigid inflation of the two inflatable protrusion 28 spread from the upper belt 1 and held in a position forming the reclining position, thereby that the lower belt 2 is not pushed against the upper belt 1 and not further pushed away from it, with the safety net 27 being stretched between upper belt 1, lower belt 2 and the two protrusions 28 and thus a slumping of the injured between the upper and the lower belt is impossible. The injured is completely secured through the positioning in the reclined position with the safety net 27 stretched out. His buttocks relative to the thigh held in the lower belt 2 is advantageously positioned somewhat lower with which a sliding-out toward the lower belt 2 and toward the upper belt 1 is prevented.

[0039] The two handles 21 on the safety net pocket cover 19, which is fastened on the upper belt 1 on fabric sleeve 5, and the two handles 22 on the lower belt 2 are actuated and pulled apart if through adverse circumstances the automatic inflating of the two inflatable protrusions 28, which are protectively positioned in the two fabric sleeves 29, is prevented or is not advantageous. The handles 21, 22 are also actuated together with the handle 23 on the upper belt 1, if the injured is winched up with the rescue apparatus and is directed to and pulled into the helicopter or the like and if the injured, secured in the rescue apparatus, is carried in it to another location.

[0040]FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the arrangement of the structural parts of the upper belt 1 and the lower belt 2 connected with one another to form an integral recovery sling. The connection is established through the connection hose 17, which is fastened on, the lower belt 2 by the fabric sleeve 6 and the clasp system 18, which is connected through the U-profile holder 39 with the carrying belt 3 of the upper belt 1. The connection of the upper belt 1 and of the lower belt 2 is secured thereby that the securement 25 comprising a hose encased by a fabric, which is connected with the connection hose 17 through the belt 46 or the like, is clamped into the clasp system 26 and released by actuation of the handle 24 and secured thereby that the safety net pocket cover 19, which is fastened on the fabric sleeve 5 of the upper belt 1, is connected by the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20 comprised of a Velcro closure 47 or the like, with the fabric sleeve 6 of the lower belt 2, whereby the connection hose 17 is held in the clasp system 18.

[0041] The upper belt 1 is formed of the doubly-folded carrying belt 3 on which the U-profile holder 39 is disposed and which is fixedly connected with a counterplate 40 and the connection belts 41 with the carrying belt 3. On the exterior side of the U-profile holder 39 is bolted on the clasp system 18 with the connection bolt 43. In the U-profile holder is guided and fastened a copper cable 42 for the discharge/grounding of electric currents. Into the U-profile holder 39 is inserted the foamed material wedge 37, whereby the U-profile holder 39 in addition to the carrying belt 3 is fixedly inserted into the upper loop 1 and secured through the foamed material core 36, the foamed material sleeve 35 placed above it and the fabric sleeve 5 pulled over it, which is clamped in and fixed between the outside of the U-profile holder 39 and the clasp system 18.

[0042] On the fabric sleeve 5 are fastened the handle 23 and the safety net pocket cover 19. Between the safety net pocket cover 19 and the fabric sleeve 5 as well as the protective flap 44, which is clamped and fastened between U-profile holder 39 and clasp system 18, are disposed the two inflatable protrusions 28 with fabric sleeves 29 in the noninflated state together with the safety net 27. The safety net pocket cover 19 is closed with the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20, formed of a Velcro closure 47 or the like, on the tautly tensioned fabric sleeve 6 of the lower loop 2, whereby the two inflatable protrusions 28 and the fabric sleeves 29 and the safety net 27 are protected in ordered position.

[0043] The lower belt 2 is formed of the carrying belt 4 placed double folded. This is encased with the fabric sleeve 6. The connection hose 17 is connected through the fabric sleeve 6 with the carrying belt 4 and through the handle 22, which is fastened on the fabric sleeve 6, actuated for the manual release of the lower belt 2 from the clasp system 18. For the manual release of the lower loop 2 the handle 21, which is disposed on the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20, is actuated in the direction opposite to the direction of pull of the handle 22. Thereby the closure of the safety net pocket cover 20 is opened and the two inflatable protrusions are enabled for tensioning together with the safety net. The carrying belt 4 with the foamed material insert 38 is padded such that the blood circulation in the thighs of the injured is not hindered, with the foamed material insert 38 being held by the fabric sleeve 6 in its advantageous position on the carrying belt 4.

[0044] The invention attains a horizontal reclining position for the person to be rescued during the rescue. With this rescue apparatus the person to be rescued is lifted gently out of the water and saved.

[0045] In this reclining position injuries during the rescue harmful to the health of this person are virtually excluded. In this position injured persons can also be rescued without further injuries. This is by no means the case with rescue devices within prior art.

[0046] This rescue apparatus can also be employed in the presence of rough seas and thereby gains additionally special significance.

List of Reference Symbols

[0047]1 Upper belt

[0048]2 Lower belt

[0049]3 Carrying belt

[0050]4 Carrying belt

[0051]5 Fabric sleeve

[0052]6 Fabric sleeve

[0053]7 Lower loop-carrying belt extension

[0054]8 Securement

[0055]9 Clasp system

[0056]10 D-bow

[0057]11 D-bow

[0058]12 Swivel shackle

[0059]13 Carabiner

[0060]14 Rescue cable

[0061]15 Closure carabiner

[0062]16 D-bow

[0063]17 Connection hose

[0064]18 Clasp system

[0065]19 Safety net pocket cover

[0066]20 Closure of the safety net pocket cover

[0067]21 Handle

[0068]22 Handle

[0069]23 Handle

[0070]24 Handle

[0071]25 Securement

[0072]26 Clasp system

[0073]27 Safety net

[0074]28 inflatable protrusion

[0075]29 Fabric sleeve

[0076]30 Compressed air cartridge

[0077]31 Compressed air line

[0078]32 Cartridge pocket

[0079]33 Connection lugs

[0080]34 Connection lugs

[0081]35 Foamed material sleeve

[0082]36 Foamed material core

[0083]37 Foamed material wedge

[0084]38 Foamed material insert

[0085]39 U-profile holder

[0086]40 Counterplate

[0087]41 Connection bolt(s)

[0088]42 Copper cable

[0089]43 Connection bolt

[0090]44 Protective flap

[0091]45 Suspension point

[0092]46 Belt

[0093]47 Velcro closure 

1. Rescue apparatus in the form of a carrying device for the vertical transport of an injured person in a horizontal reclining position, comprised of two belts connected with one another at their two ends, of which the one is to be placed around the upper body, the other around the thighs of the injured person, and which are provided at their ends with a common coupling member, with which they can be coupled to a lowered end of a rescue line, characterized in that the two belts in readiness position are disposed parallel and closely adjacent to one another and are releasably connected with one another forming a strand, that means are provided with which the connection between the two belts can be released, and that the one end of both belts is coupled to the coupling member while the other belt end is coupleable to first said end or the coupling member.
 2. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper belt comprises two protrusions between which is emplaced the lower belt.
 3. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the protrusions are pneumatically inflatable.
 4. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the belts are connected with one another by adhesion means, such as Velcro tapes, adhesive agent, adhesive foil or the like.
 5. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper belt carries clasps in which is emplaced the lower belt.
 6. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the free end of the belt combination carries a hook, which can be hooked into one of several lugs at the other end of the belt combination.
 7. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the one belt is longer than the other belt and that the piece projecting beyond the length of the other belt is folded and placed adhering to one another.
 8. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that between the belts a net is stretched which is disposed on the belts.
 9. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that on the upper belt textile holders or such fabricated of synthetic material, in particular a soft synthetic material, provided on one side with a Velcro closure and a handle, are disposed which encompass the lower belt.
 10. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that protrusions laterally disposed on the upper belt with Velcro closures and handles are provided, with the upper belt and its protrusions encompassing the lower belt and enclosing it.
 11. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the upper belt and/or the lower belt are pneumatically inflatable.
 12. Rescue apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the one belt carries a mounting for a compressed air cartridge and is a manually actuated filling valve for the belt or for a protrusion fastened on the belt.
 13. Method for rescuing an injured person with a carrying device for the vertical transport in a horizontal reclining position, comprising two belts connected with one another at both of their ends, of which the one is to be placed around the upper body, the other around the thighs of the injured person, and which at their ends are provided with a common coupling member, with which they can be coupled to a lowered end of a rescue line with the aid of a carrying device comprised of two belts, of which the one belt is to be placed around the upper body, the other belt around the thighs of the injured person, characterized in that before the start of the rescue action the lower belt is connected fixedly but releasably with the upper belt in parallel position to form a belt combination, that at the start of the rescue action around the upper body of the injured person first the entire belt combination is placed and the ends of the belt are connected with one another and fastened on the rescue line, that subsequently the lower belt is released from the upper belt and slid under the buttocks of the person to be rescued.
 14. Method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that as the upper belt a hose is employed which can be expanded with compressed air or the upper belt is provided with a hose which can be expanded with compressed air, with which the lower belt is pressed out of its fastened position on the upper belt.
 15. Method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that before the start of the rescue operation the lower belt is fixed in place by means of flaps, provided with Velcro tape and handles, on the upper belt and after placing the upper belt the flaps are pulled with their side provided with Velcro tape by means of handles from the upper belt and thereby the lower belt is released from the upper belt. 